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Aug. 8th, 2005 03:30 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ambitious_wenchI spent the day yesterday hiking--and *almost* made it to the top of the snowcreek trail. Time was running out, and I was not prepared to spend the night on the trail. Silly me, I started at about 11 AM.
I got back to my room at about 8:45 PM.
Gorgeous vistas along that trail.
I started out at Mirror Lake. The day was sunny, and promised to be hot.
Met a rather cheeky ground squirrel, who begged to have his picture taken. Or was he hoping for a hand out? Sorry pal, no feeding the animals.
Once I reached the snowcreek trailhead, I should have had a clue because of this sign; North Dome, 7.8 miles.
There are lots of switchbacks on this trail, and they provide a widening view of Tenaya Canyon; As I climbed, the trees became scarce, and the sun was hot. To the east and north, stormclouds gathered over Cloud's Rest and Half Dome. For the most part, they stayed on the far side of the canyon. It was as if they didn't venture over the gaping slash in the landscape for fear of falling in.
Occasionally one would drift across the face of the sun, giving me much needed relief from its heat and light.
Over the top of North Dome, a cloud played hide-and-seek, peek-a-boo. Then it too move out of sight beyond the canyon rim.
To the south, Tenaya Canyon opened onto the eastern end of Yosemite Valley. Glacier Point Apron was a misty presence facing me. To the left is the base of Half Dome.
Late summer brings the nascient acorns of the Live Canyon Oaks.
Higher up, pines of several varieties stand tenaciously on the granite rocks and walls of the canyon.
At about 5 PM I decided that I'd gone as far as was safe. I had entered a pine grove. Lodgepole pines, firs, and sugar pines were all around me. Even at this height, there was evidence of the glaciers; This is a glacial erratic boulder, left here after being rounded in the ice flow, when it departed.
When I returned, my room mate Vera was surprised I'd gone alone. "It is very dangerous, Edie, there are bears!" I smiled. I'd not seen a single bear. But I did see lots of bear scat. Yes, bears shit in the woods. Here's proof.
The light was calming down now, not so blinding, brittle-brilliant. This tree was backlit by the aging sun.
To the east, I caught a glimpse of this mountain, to the north of Half Dome. I'm not sure, but I think it's Mount Lyle, the highest peak in Yosemite Valley. Sun and clouds played tag across the southern face. The western face stayed in shadow.
To the north and east, storm clouds threatened over Cloud's Rest, while Mount Watkins (on the left) watched, unperturbed.
To the south, Half Dome gazes at gentle clouds.
The trip down was much easier than going up. Well, at least I wasn't gasping for breath, but the trail is slippery with sand on the rocks. Only one minor tumble, landed on my butt, thankfully.
I arrived at Mirror Lake about 7:00 PM, just in time to get the last sunlight.
To view the whole set: click here
I got back to my room at about 8:45 PM.
Gorgeous vistas along that trail.
I started out at Mirror Lake. The day was sunny, and promised to be hot.
Met a rather cheeky ground squirrel, who begged to have his picture taken. Or was he hoping for a hand out? Sorry pal, no feeding the animals.
Once I reached the snowcreek trailhead, I should have had a clue because of this sign; North Dome, 7.8 miles.
There are lots of switchbacks on this trail, and they provide a widening view of Tenaya Canyon; As I climbed, the trees became scarce, and the sun was hot. To the east and north, stormclouds gathered over Cloud's Rest and Half Dome. For the most part, they stayed on the far side of the canyon. It was as if they didn't venture over the gaping slash in the landscape for fear of falling in.
Occasionally one would drift across the face of the sun, giving me much needed relief from its heat and light.
Over the top of North Dome, a cloud played hide-and-seek, peek-a-boo. Then it too move out of sight beyond the canyon rim.
To the south, Tenaya Canyon opened onto the eastern end of Yosemite Valley. Glacier Point Apron was a misty presence facing me. To the left is the base of Half Dome.
Late summer brings the nascient acorns of the Live Canyon Oaks.
Higher up, pines of several varieties stand tenaciously on the granite rocks and walls of the canyon.
At about 5 PM I decided that I'd gone as far as was safe. I had entered a pine grove. Lodgepole pines, firs, and sugar pines were all around me. Even at this height, there was evidence of the glaciers; This is a glacial erratic boulder, left here after being rounded in the ice flow, when it departed.
When I returned, my room mate Vera was surprised I'd gone alone. "It is very dangerous, Edie, there are bears!" I smiled. I'd not seen a single bear. But I did see lots of bear scat. Yes, bears shit in the woods. Here's proof.
The light was calming down now, not so blinding, brittle-brilliant. This tree was backlit by the aging sun.
To the east, I caught a glimpse of this mountain, to the north of Half Dome. I'm not sure, but I think it's Mount Lyle, the highest peak in Yosemite Valley. Sun and clouds played tag across the southern face. The western face stayed in shadow.
To the north and east, storm clouds threatened over Cloud's Rest, while Mount Watkins (on the left) watched, unperturbed.
To the south, Half Dome gazes at gentle clouds.
The trip down was much easier than going up. Well, at least I wasn't gasping for breath, but the trail is slippery with sand on the rocks. Only one minor tumble, landed on my butt, thankfully.
I arrived at Mirror Lake about 7:00 PM, just in time to get the last sunlight.
To view the whole set: click here
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no subject
Date: 2005-08-08 08:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-09 03:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-09 04:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2005-08-11 08:40 pm (UTC)Love,
Edie
Somewhere in the wilds of Yosemite.
no subject
Date: 2005-08-10 03:10 pm (UTC)love
Jay
no subject
Date: 2005-08-10 04:10 pm (UTC)Love, Mom.